An offspring of Medaglia d'Oro commanded the highest price thus far at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale July 21 when Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock agent John Ferguson went to $425,000 for a bay filly.
Out of the group II-winning Argentine-bred Careafolie mare Ting a Folie, the Medaglia d’Oro filly is a half-sister to English stakes-placed filly Bastakiya (by Dubai Destination).
“(Bastakiya) was a very talented 2-year-old who unfortunately injured herself, so we know the mare can breed a good one,” said Ferguson of the Dubai Destination filly, who was raced by Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, Princess Haya, and trainer John Gosden.
“I think it’s quite well-known that we have a strong opinion of Medaglia d’Oro just like everyone else,” Ferguson said of the stallion, who stood the 2009 season for a fee of $40,000.
Medaglia d’Oro was propelled into the limelight this year with the success of his daughter Rachel Alexandra, who romped to a 20 ¼-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and subsequently won the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) against the boys and the Mother Goose (gr. I).
“(The Medaglia d’Oro filly) is a quality filly, and we will decide in September whether she will race in Europe or the United States,” said Ferguson of the filly, who went through the ring as Hip No. 250. She was bred in Kentucky by B.M. Kelley and was consigned by Whitechurch Farm, Warrendale Sales, agent.